Assembly Resolution No. 332

BY: M. of A. Woerner

COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of the
Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those individuals and events whose commitment and creative
talents contribute to the cultural enrichment and entertainment of their
community and the entire State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz
Festival to be celebrated on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25,
2017; and

WHEREAS, April was designated as "Jazz Appreciation Month," known as
JAM, in 2002 by the Smithsonian Museum to herald and celebrate the
extraordinary heritage and history of jazz; and

WHEREAS, The Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival, originally titled
the Newport Jazz Festival-Saratoga, was founded in 1978, by jazz
impresario George Wein; Freihofer's Baking Company has been the title
sponsor of the festival since 1998; and

WHEREAS, The two-day, two-stage festival continues to be one of the
largest jazz music events in North America, beloved by audiences for
both the remarkable annual line-up of international jazz talent and its
spectacular setting at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in the
idyllic Saratoga Spa State Park; and

WHEREAS, The festival's inaugural year included such performers as
Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Dee Dee
Bridgewater, Jean-Luc Ponty and Chick Corea; in the ensuing years,
dozens of other jazz greats graced the festival's main Amphitheatre
stage, including Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, B.B. King, Wayne Shorter,
Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Pat Metheny, David Sanborn, Tito Puente,
Arturo Sandoval, Diana Krall and Chris Botti, among many others; and

WHEREAS, Current festival producer Danny Melnick, a protege of
George Wein and the President of Absolutely Live Entertainment, began
working on the festival in 1991 and became co-producer in 2009,
upholding the event's rich tradition while expanding its artistic scope
to reach new audiences; and

WHEREAS, In addition to performances on SPAC's Amphitheatre and
Gazebo stages, the Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival features a fine
arts and crafts fair, album signings by artists, a full-service bar in
the Hall of Springs, southern style barbeque and other food vendors, as
well as a children's craft area; and

WHEREAS, The milestone 2017 Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival
features an extraordinary lineup of musicians, ranging from emerging
artists making their festival debuts, to the return of two greats who

performed on the inaugural 1978 festival, Dee Dee Bridgewater and
Jean-Luc Ponty; and

WHEREAS, The treasured values of family unity and wholesome
entertainment for all ages are reflected in the Freihofer's Saratoga
Jazz Festival, an event which helps to foster community spirit and
cooperation and preserves the beliefs, ideals and values upon which this
great State and Nation were founded; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz
Festival; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing
Arts Center.